By Chris Oddo
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Photo Credit: Getty
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(July 17, 2012)- When it comes to performing under pressure on the WTA Tour, putting your money on Maria Sharapova is a pretty safe bet.
On the strength of her perfect record in deciders in 2012, Sharapova is closing in on becoming the WTA's best three-set player in history. The 25-year-old has won all nine of her three-setters this year, and she also won 12 of 13 last year, losing only her last one to Flavia Pennetta in the third round of the US Open.
This run of 21 out of 22 successful three-set matches places the Russian just over one percentage point behind the remarkably clutch Chris Evert for the best three-set Record in WTA history. In light of Sharapova's other accomplishments this season--returning to No. 1 for a spell and notching the career Grand Slam with a French Open title--not many people are talking about Sharapova's domination in deciders.
Also of note is the fact that world No. 1 Victoria Azarenka is also a perfect 9-0 in three-setters this year, while world No. 7 Angelique Kerber is 16-1.
Here's a look at the WTA's best three-set performers all-time, followed by the best-three set performers in 2012.
Three-Set Records, Career -- All Stats Courtesty of WTA Media Information System
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Player
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Wins
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Losses
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Pct.
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Chris Evert
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152
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44
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77.55
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Maria Sharapova
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113
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35
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76.35
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Steffi Graf
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149
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49
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75.25
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Tracy Austin
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47
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19
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71.21
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Serena Williams
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112
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47
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70.44
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Monica Seles
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105
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46
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69.54
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2012 Three-Set Record (Minimum 7 matches)
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Player
|
Wins
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Losses
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Pct.
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Maria Sharapova
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9
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0
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1.000
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Victoria Azarenka
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9
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0
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1.000
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Angelique Kerber
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16
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1
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94.12
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Iveta Benesova
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9
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1
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90
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Tamira Paszek
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7
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1
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87.5
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Kaia Kanepi
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6
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1
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85.71
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Serena Williams
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6
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1
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85.71
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Sara Errani
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9
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3
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75
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Kateryna Bondarenko
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8
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3
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72.73
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Urszula Radwanska
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8
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3
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72.73
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